Mah Jongg is not just a game. It has become a part of my life that allows me to entertain my Mah Jongg-playing friends, cook great meals to serve to them and test my mental skills during our game play (which, hopefully, is often).

IT’S BACK…MAH JONGG WEDNESDAY CHEZ MOI!

It seems like it has been forever since I hosted the OMs (Original Mahjettes, as we call ourselves) but finally today we were all chez moi. And I used the occasion to celebrate three November birthdays: S1, S2, and J.

Our lunch was my favorite – one of the Barefoot Contessa‘s fabulous and very hearty soups – so delicious! I will post the recipe tomorrow. Before everyone arrived I placed a jar of my homemade cranberry relish at each place. I have been making this recipe every year since 1976…it’s a tradition for me!Right after lunch we began our game play – and we were really playing fast today so we got in many, many games. Nothing could make me happier because we were able to make a donation toStay Strong and Mahj On (SSAMO) for $75 (a couple of days worth of winnings)!

I was so happy to have a Jokerless hand…we actually had two of them today!Here are some of the winning hands today (although there were many more than what I will post here):Wait a minute, who is that causing trouble and suddenly sneaking out of the closet?But before we went any further, it was time for a happy birthday dessert for the three November birthday girls – Talenti Mediterranean Mint Gelato, Talenti Double Dark Chocolate Gelato, and topped with a fudge covered brownie and a happy birthday candle! YUM!